Couch-hammock.



1. E. PALMER. OOUGH HAMMOGK.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR.28, 1908.

901,936. 4 yPatented066.20,1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mancasse@ Invenor:

- UNITED N STATEsPATENT IsAAo E. PALMER, oF MIDnLEToWN, coNNEcrieur,4

citizen of the y of'in .the accompanying drawings, wherein v liligure .1is aper'spective lof* 'Figl 2 is an end elevatlon, partially in sec#-tion, of such formnof ment ini Couch-H OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO THE I. E. PALMER COMPANY, F MIDDLETOW N, CONNECTICUT, ACORPORATION VOF CONNECTICUT.

" coUcH-Hammrocx.

To all who-m 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC E. PALMER, a

United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Middlesex, Stateof Connecticut, have invented an Improveammocks, of which the fol-1owing\ description, in .connection with the' laccompanying drawings, isa-speciication,

like letters on the drawings representing like I n .This invent-'ionrelatestohammocks of the `type disclosed"` in my Patent -N o. 574,073,13:36-29, 1896.- z-

In `order that the tion may vbe .clearly' closed certain typesprinciples v0f the' invenf understood,- If have disor v embedime'ntsther'el View of one end. ying my invention;

a ,hannnockI embod hammock; Fig. 3 is a perspective view o f amodified-fo'rm of. ham

v'in .section in yFi tion thereof; l-Fi '30.

81isa side Ivre'presentedin Fig. 7; `F

casting represented in thev :innerV side.; ligjll -of a portion of oneend o hammock .cloth""att ached thereto; "Figi 12 40 'having the hamm'Fig .15"is' a plan.

and. of ."a corner the same laterallyfdisten edge'view'of theconstruction shown. in

lthereof; and Fig'.v 17` is 'y mock; Fig. .t'isy a longitudinal verticalsec?- tion-fof a frame embodyin'g'niy invention ook ycloth appliedthereto;

View, upon an enlarged..v of the frame .represented 4, 1 1`ig. 6 is aside eleva-. v 7- 1s a View similar to Fig.' 5, but -repres'entlng avmodified construction; elevation. of.' the construction scale', 'o'f a`corner ig. 9 is a side elen vation of a formfof casting thatjmaybeemployed in the practicev of .my invention; Fig. 1()l is a'perspectiveviewof the. form ofy Fig. 9 viewed from 4isa rspective view the frameand is a view" in lverticalV longitudinal section of af portion of aha'mmocl'xfframe and body Specification of Letters Patent. Applicationled March 28, 1908. Serial 119.423,9141.

Ivided with a plurality 'desired manner, 'cated in Figs. 5

bracket 'having provisions for maintaining vthe.body ofthe hammock[laterally plan'iof that portionl ofthe vhammock body `flanges whichmaybe of the' securing the lateral edges of the hammock body. v 4

Hammocks have heretofore been .iconstructed With Aframesinterrupting thenat- Patented oct. 2o, 1908.AA

ural curvatureof thebody thereof, such as' shown for example in myPatent No. 574,073, Dec. 29, 1896. Therein the frame is pro the frontand rear.

of cross rungs as at f The body of the ham'- mock ispassed under suchcross rungs fand.. above the intermediateportion `of .the frame, a

so as torest thereon. As disclosedr in said patent, the frame may be ofangular form or-y While it is apparent that` the may be Hat.

frame' disclosed inthe said patent and in my vpresen-t application maybe of any suitable length, it

1s herein represented as .of suicient length Vto receive the entire`person 4 of the user, so as to support the same ina substantiallyhorizontal position.

efer'ring moreparticularly to Figs; a `and i.

5. of the drawing, theframe Itherein represented isgcomposed v4oi.longitudinal or side members1-1'and.'transverse or end membersA 2-*2saitably yconnected, thereto in. anyv as by bolts or screws 3 indie' vand 7.V Any other suitable fastening means mayfbe employed'.v AIfdcsired, each member Vof the `frame may be re.` cessed to receive vtheother,as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 6 and corner portion of theframe, and as-rep1e- 8. Upon each Y .85. Figs. 5V and 6, is. rece1ve'd..f .a bracket or casting 4 adapted to` be secured vthereto in anysuitable manner, as, for ex ample, by screws 5-5 received ina suitable Iopening or openings in the' upper surface' ofc the casting and t:suitable opening in e screwrecei'ved inv a may be attached toeither-the and or l'onv 'itudinal members 4of theframegor both idesired. Herein, Ir have"v represented l.the

bracket as providedwith yupper and lower at 7 and Srespectively -inother desired shape. In Figsl and77 the upper Bange is re resented asprovided with an opening 9, wit inportions of which the screws 5-15 arereceived, f -Similarl indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the 4.lowerflange may be tended-with an 4po'ning', within Iwhich a nlding-rew '6maybe Nirmindicated'V v1() or of any f' and as the lower face of thecasti ing-ft 1S. apparent that-the said brackets While such socket maybe of any desired peripheral extent and may completely encircle the rodor bar if desired, it is preferably interrupted to permit the insertionot the said rod or bar from below.' opposite brackets 4, and preferablyat each end of the frame, are received rods, bars or bearings 11 of any'suitable shape. If desired, the sockets 1G may be provided with openingsto receive screws 12 which, passing i of any, suitable material.

- ever-,'it is.v made of fabric, as indicated at 16 into the rod or bar11, positively holds the same in place. It Will. be apparent that inVthe form of the invention herein shown, the 'relation and constructionof the sockets are such that each rodv or bearing is held from end Wisemovement.

' In Fig'. 7,1 have represented the socket' 10 l as provided with anopening 13, Within which is received the'head of a screw 14 projectingfrom the rod or bar 11,the said screw head preferably ,overlapping theedge of the casting, thereby aiding in securing the same .in position.The extent of the opening 13 is such to permit, if desired, a sllghtrockingmovement of the rod or bar 11 in the socket. `b'In Figs. 4, 5 and6, the rods or bars 11 are represented as elongated in cross section.The said .bars may be of substantially the same size throughout.

The body of the hammock may be former Preferably, howinFig, eachend ofthe body being, as indicatedfv in said figure, provided With aspreader-17, from which extend any suitable fastening means, as cords18, by which the hanimo'ck may besuspended from any suitmock may becontinuous from end to end, as.

able support. The fabric 16` of the hamrepresented in Fig. 4. In saidfigure, the fabric is represented as passing beneath the rods or bars 11at opposite ends of the frame, upon the upper surface whereof saidfabric rests intermediate said rods or bars.

, This construction, and more particularly with the form obracket shownin 15 and 16, permits the inverting of the frame and of the hammockcloth, so that the frame yis supported. upon the cloth. In Fig. 11, I

,ted the, 'fabric as reinforced have s or bars 11 as indicated at `19..Ii desired., and preferably I provideat opposite ends of the hammocktransverse 4webs' 20 suitably secured at opposite edges to the mainfabric of the hammock, as indicated at 21-'21, the rods or vbars 11being thus received Within pockets 22, which may be of any ,desilredsize. Apillovv may be placed Within either pocket 22, represented inFig. 4, or the pillow may .be placed. against the outer surface ofeither strip or web 20. It it be not desired, to place' a pillonT Withineither pocket 22, access may be had @to the'pocket for any purpose, asto permit the placing of'a` book or the like therein in any suit-ablemanner. A l have represented the web 20 as stitched along its upper edgeto the body 16 for a portion of its length, as'represented at 23 and 24,the intermediate portion ofthe edge being unattached for the purposestated. lf desired, and as represented in dotted lines in said Fig. 1,the ends of the pocket may be left open. If desired, a pocket may beprovided at either or both ends to receive the rods or bars 11, and inaddition thereto and overlying the same pockets of any suitabledescription may be `provided,y as, for ex` ample, the pockets-25 and 26,indicated in Fig. 3, the said pockets being open at their upper edges topermitvthe v.insertion of'any desired articles.

InFig. 11, I have represented at 2?)X theV web 20 as-stitched'to thefabric 16 from edge to ledge of the-latter. 'Preferably, to the edges ofthe fabric 16 are attached the valances, one of which is-'indic'ated at27 iarFig.

The end portion of each valance may, as

indicated 'in Fig. 1, be attached to-t'he end.

of the webs i20, so as' to overhangand conceal the ends of the pockets22. The valances may be continued around to the back of the uprightport-ion of the hannnock'at either or both ends to any desired extentfor purposes of ornamentation or for convenience of construction.

, vInasniuch as there is some liability of Wear of the fabric 16 or itsreinforce where it passes beneath the rods or bars 11, I may in rig. 1,.

provide any suitable means to bind the tab# ric vat suoli point againstthe frame. In

Figs. 7 and.'8, AI have represented a rod or.

bar ill as ,provided with a lateral Wing 28. preferably extending fromone socket 10 to the opposite socket and adapted, as indicated in dottedlines in Fig. S, to bear upon the web 16, where the same vis receivedupon the outer edge of the end member' 2 oi the rframe, as indicated at29. `Since the cross bar is permitted, in the construction shown inFigs. 7 and 8, a slight rocking movement in the sockets. it will beapparent that when the hammock is in use the tension upon the fabric16`in the direction of the arrow represented in Fig. 8 tends to rock therod or bar 11 in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto in saidligure. Thus, the wing 28 impinges upon the fabric 16 at the point 29and binds the same against the end member 52 and prevents a rubbing orWearing action, of the fabr1c. a

If desired, I may employ suitable means for `securing the hammock fabricto the by 'the provision of. an eye in each strap to be renewed oversuitable hooks 31 indicated in .dotted lines in Fig. 11 and full linesin Fig. 17. If desired, both faces of the longitudinal members 1l may beprovided ivith suitable securing means, thus permitting the fastening ofthe straps, Whichever side of the frame be uppermost.

It will be apparent vthat the hammock frame may .bedetached from thefabric 16 "by removing the rods or bars l1 from the `sockets 10 and thepockets22. This may be desired for convenience in shipment or forstorage', or itmay be desired to invert the frame.

4 Viewing Fig. 5, it will be apparent 'that if it'be desiredl to invertthe frame ivhenusing the form ofbracket there` shown, the brackets 4 maybe removed therefrom undeach bracket be secured to the opposite cornerat the same end upon the op; t

)osito lface of the frame. It will moreover )e up arent-,that thebrackets'may be readily detected from the frame vfor any purpose byremoving the screw 5-5 and 6 repre sented in Figs. 5 and 6., Referringtothe forni ofeustingre-oresented in Fig. 10, it will be' apparent "t atthe screw openings represented in the webs or flanges 7 and 8 muy beomitted -and that one or more screws or bolts may be assed throughssuitable owning in the ody oftheI casting.` -In l* ills. 9 nud- 10thecastingis represented. as provided with an elongated -openino' oropenings 32 to lighten the casting. I? desired', such opening oropenings 'may 'beof reduced extent, anda` circularfopeningof properdia-meter may be provided to receive a single bolt. In this manner,eachbracket may be' secured to the edge of the longitudinal member l or2. .f

Ifdesired. the corner castings atI one or both ends may be consolidated,solis to form u sin lo casting at "either endextending the widt i of theframe and provided with suit-l nhlf) sockets 'for' supporting the crossrod or at'.

In seid figures, the kmgitudinal portion Ol 'end 72 of the spring likemem In Figs. 12,15`a'nd`16., I have indicated a' of the bracket isprovided with laterally eX- tending Webs, the upper one of which isshorvn at. G7, to be received upon the upper and lower faces of theframe. The bracket may be attached to the frame permanently in anysuitablemanner, as by bolts 68 passing through 'the upper and lowerWebs. longitudinal portion 66, instead of being in' The oline-d upwardlyin the manner illustrated `in Figs. 9 and 1Q, extends substantiallystraight,as represented most clearly in Fig. 16, and is provided at asuitable point near its end with a socket 69 to receive the cross bar70. The cross bar may be mounted for removal in any suitable manner.Herein, I have represented the same as provided with ra groove or socketupon its `upper face,

wherein is secured a spring like member 7 '1,

the end 72 whereof normally extend above-` the surface of the lcross bartov engage the inner lateral face of the castings 69, .therebypreventing longitudinal movement of the cross bar in the castings. By deressing the rv 71, the cross bar maybe withdrawn from the brackets.Preferably, each end of the cross bar is provided with means,.such asherein referred to, for maintaining 'it in position.

I contemplate the provision of means to maintain the body of the hammocklaterally distended. I have, in Figs. l1 and 17, represented st-raps 30Secured to the body of the, hammock and adapted to be eugaged'with theframe. y means or without the use thereof, `provide the corner bracketswith suitable means -to maitain the body laterally'distended. In'

lsov

I may, in conjunction with such' l F ig. 13, I have represented thecornerbracket i vas provided with 'upper and ,lower segmental flanges73, 7 4 of suitable extent adapted to engage trough like formations inthe contacting portion of the body .16.' W bile-said trough likeformations may 'be provided in any suitable'manner, I preferably form anopening as 7 5 in that rtion of the Vbody that contacts with the racket.and sew along the edges thereof a strip of webbing 76 gathered at theends, as indicated at 77 in Fig. 14, to

flan e tightl thus maintaining the oft e body abrio at the edges of theframe.

,It is apperentthat instead'offorming an opening in the fabric. the webs76 may be attached to the lateral edges of' the. bodyy t n rovideterminal portions. '.Elther flange '7.Y or 74 maybev y it being apparentthat thelateral Walls 78 f fabric, being gathered in the` manner de-`scribed to fornitroughs for the reception of the flanges. The length ofthe trough likeformatins should referably be greater therein,thuspermittingz longitudinal move- 1ers:

'than the length o the flange received' senese 4 means to bind the bodyfrom rubbing or (wearing movement.

'more of said bearings being adapted to overlie'a portion of the bodyand provided with means to bind the body against the mainportion of theframe.

16. A hammock body, a frame independcnt thereof and provided withbearings adapted to engage the body, said frame having longitudinal andtransverse end members, and a. plurality of bearings spaced from saidend members, one or both of said bearings being provided with a lateralWingadapted to overlie a. portion of the body and to bind the sameagainst the adjacent end member.

17. A hammock iraine independent of the body of a hammock but adapted toengage therewith, said frame having connected end members and providedat each end with corner brackets and cross rods supported by saidbrackets and spaced fromy said end members for the passage between therods and the end members of portions of the hammock body, the saidcorner brackets ,holding the said rods against longitudinal movement inthe line of the axes of said rods.

18. A hammock attachment comprising a frame independent ot the body ofthe hammock and provided with bearings for the body of the hammock, thesaid bearings being so located with respect to one another that thehammock body may be engaged therewith one or more of said bearings beingheld'from longitudinal movement,but mounted for rocking movement.

19. Al hammock attachment comprising a frame independent of the body ofthe hamprovided with bearings for the' body of the hammock, the saidbearings being so :located with respect to one another that thehammoekbody may be engaged therewith one or more of Vsaid bearings being heldfrom longitudinal movement, but mounted for rocking movement, saidbearing Aor bearings being to bind the body of t e hammock against `saidframe.

frame and spaced from said. end members for the passage therebetween ofportions of `the hamiiibcktbod ,the lateral ed es of said hammock bodyaving means etachably connecting the same o thel frame but permittingthe ready det chtnent thereof.

21. A hammock rame independent of the body of the hammockji'ut adaptedto engage therewith, aid frame having connected end .86 `members A ndlprovided at elch end with -its ends with brackets havin rovided withmeans brackets and cross rods supported by said brackets and spacedVfrom said end members for the passage ltherebetween of supportingportionsof the hammock' body, the sai` brackets having provisions tomaintain the Vbody of the hammock .laterally distended.

`frame having bearings at `its opposite ends,

corner brackets supporting said bearings, and webs attached to the bodyof the hammock and overlying said bearings.

24. A hammock frame adapted for engagement with a hammock and providedat one or more portions disposed in substantial parallelism with a -faceof the frame and secured thereto and having portions extendinglongitudi-V nally beyond the end members of the rame, bearings extendinginwardly from said longitudinally extending portions, and cross rodssupported by said bearings and spaced thereby from' the end members ofthe frame.

25. A hammock body, a frame inde ndent thereof and adapted to be appliedt ereto, corner brackets secured to said frame, cross bars supported insaid corner brackets and spaced from the body of theframe, one or moreot' said brackets being provided with a Hang-e or flanges to engage thebody fabric to maintain the laterally distended. "i f 26. A hammockframe independent ofthe body of the hammock but adapted to engagetherewith, said frame having longitudinal lie upon the upper surface ofsaid frame and having portions passingboth above and be-` neath saidrods or bearings.

27. A frame adapted to be applied to a .hammock and comprising connectedend members, brackets'secured to and extending longitudinally beyondsaid frame in substantially the plane thereof and having cross rod suprting bearings and cross rods spaced rom said end members and held fromdisplacement by said bearings with either face of said frame uppermost.p

28.' A rectangular hammock frame comprising longitudinally disposedmembers and transversely disposed end sus ension members, combined witha hammo overlying said frame and provided wthportions passing above andbelow said suspension members whereby said frame may be reversed.

29. A hammock frame .having connected iid ' ing above and boow saidsuspension members, and means preventln' lateral .dlsplace l yWltn'esses:

transvers'ly disposed end suspension mem- I In tstimony wheeof, havesigned. my 'bers combined with o, hammock'overlyng, name to thisspecificatiolu, in the presence of said frame. and provided withportions passtwo subscribing Witnesses. f

' SAAC E. PALMER.

ment of the 'hammock boy andi hammock TQWNSENDAPALMER, frame Wlthrespect to Yeacmher. f .RVING U. TOWNSEND.

